TANCHOU
Red-crowned or Japanese Crane
Grus japonensis
The second rarest crane in the world, after the whooping crane of North America, the red-crowned crane once resided on all four of Japan's islands. Along with habitat loss, they were hunted to near extinction and by the early twentieth century there were only twenty or so of these birds in all of Japan. Now the breeding population of about nine hundred birds is confined to the northern island of Hokkaido, aided in their recovery by official protection and feeding during the winters. The cranes on Hokkaido do not migrate, but the population of around one thousand red-crowned cranes in northeastern China, Siberia and Mongolia do migrate to eastern China, and Korea in the winter. Zoos have records of these cranes living over eighty years in captivity.
Red-crowned cranes are unique among crane species in that they have white primary feathers. The red on the head of the adult is not colored feathers, but a bare patch of red skin. It can be difficult to tell the males and females apart, except for their size, the male usually being slightly larger, and the black neck and throat of the males in contrast to the dark grey of the female. The young birds are duller than the adults, a mixture of white, grey and brown shades and only get their white feathers when they reach two years of age.
Red-crowned cranes feed in deeper water than do other crane species and they eat almost anything - insects, aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, rodents, reeds, grasses, heath berries, corn and waste grain. They feed in pastures in the summer and move to more watery areas in the winter. On Hokkaido they are fed corn, cereal grains and fish during the winters.
After an elaborate courtship dance, adults usually mate for life. Once mated, the pair will execute a complex series of synchronized cries, known as unison calling. The two birds stand with their beaks aimed toward the sky. The wings of the males are lifted over his back, but the female keeps hers folded at her side. The male begins with one call and the female responds with two of her own.
All cranes engage in graceful dances, though the red-crowned crane can be seen dancing more than other species of cranes. Bowing, jumping, running, flapping their wings, or tossing sticks or grass into the air, these dances are most commonly associated with courtship, but can occur at any time. The movements are now believed to be an aid to motor development in cranes and to relieve aggression and tension, and to strengthen the bond between the mated pair.
In contrast to its graceful movements, the voice of the crane is harsh and loud. The Japanese have a saying, tsuru no hitokoe, which means "the single cry of the crane is the voice of authority that silences all dispute".
Hear the call of the crane (quicktime required)
In the spring, the cranes build nests of dead reeds in coastal marshes, either on the ground or in shallow water.
Both the female and the male take turns sitting on the eggs, though the male is the primary defender of the nest against any danger. The eggs hatch after 29-34 days and in only several days the chicks leave the confines of the nest to forage for food with their parents. In most cases, only one chick will live to maturity. Its first flight occurs at about ninety-five days.
Throughout the Orient, this bird is a symbol of fidelity, good luck, love and long life. In China, the red-crowned crane is known as the fairy crane and is the subject of many folktales, often as the steed of a sage or an immortal.
In Japanese folklore, the red-crowned crane is held to be sacred, and is supposed to live for a thousand years. It is often depicted with the tortoise, who was supposed to live for ten thousand years, and usually with Mount Horaizan in the background, which represents a land of immortality and everlasting youthfulness. Japanese mothers would ask the crane to watch over their children with these words:
O flock of heavenly cranes
Cover my child with your wings
Folded paper cranes or other representations of cranes are sent as greetings and well wishes for many occasions, particularly weddings. Origami cranes have been made for over three hundred years. Traditionally folded from white paper, it is believed that the maker will be rewarded because they take so much time and skill to create. Often a string of one thousand of these will be left as an offering at a shrine or temple. Strings of cranes may be given in times of bereavement, or to an ill person as a prayer for the return of good health.
Read the Japanese folktale, The Crane Wife
Learn to make your own Origami Crane
Take home a Japanese Crane!
Copy the html code from the box below into your home to display your bird.
sources:
Japanese Crane
Red-crowned Crane
The Sacred Cranes
Back to Ensou
|
|
Courtyard
|
